With Andrea upon us, people will struggle to secure the right information when they have property damage. The more urgent and detailed you are in pursuit of your claim, the more dollars that may be available. Here are important secrets to maximize your chances to secure the most money the fastest.

CHECK TO SEE IF GOVERNMENT RELIEF IS AVAILABLE Check to see if the Governor has declared a ‘disaster,’ because then FEMA is activated and if the State is approved for Individual Assistance, you can secure up to $31,000 in aid in the form of immediate repairs (electricity/electrical work, fuel for energy sources, plumbing, etc.), as well as other assistance.

NOTIFY ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES. Damages can be caused by wind, water or other ways. Notify each insurance company for which you pay a premium that may cover your claim, such as flood insurance, homeowners insurance or business insurance.

TAKE/IDENTIFY MORE PICTURES AND VIDEO Take many pictures and video of every aspect of your house from different angles, including those showing damages. Detail on the video or write on each pictures (or state on the video) exactly where the room or damaged item is located.

NOTIFY INSURANCE COMPANIES OF REPAIRS Get multiple estimates and notify each insurance company in writing of anticipated repairs, informing them of the date and list of repairs (with pictures, repair estimates, expert reports included), offering to have them revisit the premises, speak to your contractor or make suggestions on repairs. If you can, retain samples of damaged property, such as shingles or other roof materials, wood from floors or wall, stucco, pieces of doors or windows, etc.

HIRE THE RIGHT EXPERTS You need to retain the best experts who have specific and substantial experience in handling storm claims. You may need a special kind of engineer, roofer, window inspector, field adjuster or all of them. Your windows might not be broken, but they may have failed due to the mass winds. Your roof or structure may have suffered damage that you cannot see. There are certain kinds of reports and estimates that must be produced to maximize getting the most money the quickest and only certain experts know how.

CONSTANTLY WRITE Do not rely on oral representations from anyone. Write letters or emails after every discussion with an insurance company or adjuster, whenever a representation is made, a promise provided or a number stated. They should be in sufficient detail as to properly reflect what has been promised, completed, not completed, etc. and should request they let you know in writing if there is any inaccuracy in what you have written.

CONSIDER HIRING AN ATTORNEY OR GOING TO STORMHELPTEAM.ORG The insurance companies know that individuals and business owners are unaware of the technical provisions of complicated insurance policies or what specific requirements you MUST complete or you get nothing. The data shows that insurance companies pay sooner and in larger amounts when you retain a storm-damaged- litigation-experienced attorney who has handled many storm (property damage) claims.

If you are unsure about what to do or whether to hire someone, go to sites like www.StormHelpTeam.org and fill out the form (or call 855-58 –STORM), and for NO CHARGE, an expert will call you to explain the insurance process and your options.

[i] Scott Mager is a well-known natural disaster insurance expert and attorney who spent hundreds of hours in Florida, New York and elsewhere, arming citizens with winning strategies to secure more money. He has the unique experience at the highest level of seeing both sides of insurance disputes, having served as the Chief Attorney for one of the largest insurance companies in the world – where he also received their National Litigator of the Year Award – and having represented or helped thousands of residents and companies secure tens of millions of dollars of insurance money. He has lived through, researched or been involved with dozens of disaster events, and lectures around the country, having completed over 150 articles, case summaries and lectures. He has also given hundreds of hours of philanthropic work, and won such awards as the NFL Community Quarterback Award for Extraordinary Philanthropic Service, among many other honors. He is a regular contributor to the Storm Help Team efforts.

New York, NY – Storm Help Team is encouraging Superstorm Sandy victims to focus on harnessing their frustrations at insurance companies into a social media campaign aimed at urging insurers to do right by their policy holders – to institute better business practices, more thorough investigation, more detailed responses that include payments and specific itemization of what will not be paid and why, and other helpful information needed during the insurance policy claims process.

The social media campaign is headed by Storm Help Team (Twitter: @stormhelpteam), a consortium of engineers, lawyers, public adjusters, estimators, general contractors, window / door inspection experts and other experts working throughout the Sandy-impacted area, led by renowned attorney and disaster relief reimbursement specialist Scott Mager.

“Having seen the effects of dozens of storms, and the continuing delays in payment, the time is now to empower property owners with all the experts and resources necessary to more quickly secure payment of all the money they deserve,” said Mager.

WHO
Scott Mager is a nationally recognized attorney with professional advice on how to get reimbursed for recovery efforts.

WHAT
Mager has been on-the-ground with Storm Help Team (www.stormhelpteam.org) in the Hurricane Sandy-impacted area for months, speaking to entire community groups about the steps they can take to get rightful reimbursements for property losses.

Mager will be joining Legislator Dave Denenberg, speaking to residents at the Merrick Public Library at 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick, NY, along with representatives of FEMA and some local government officials, to help residents who are concerned about low, minimum or no payments yet from insurance companies, as well as about hiring contractors who might notbe operating ethically.

Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, 7:00 p.m.

WHERE
Merrick Public Library, 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick, NY

WHY
Mager has assisted numerous families in the New York metro and New Jersey shore areas and offers the following key points in the wake of Hurricane Sandy:

Editor’s Note: Disaster insurance claims attorney Scott Mager has been on-the-ground in the devastated areas of New York and New Jersey since just after the storm, speaking to large community and residential groups and organizations about specific strategies to obtain rightful reimbursement for their property losses. He is working with a multi-disciplinary organization called Storm Help Team to help make that happen. Recent televised appearance by Mager viewable here:

New York, NY – Many Superstorm Sandy victims who have insurance – and have been paying for it for years or decades – feel stunned by the lack of response by insurance companies after they make property damage claims.

Insurance company failures to fully inspect properties, refusals to pay full damages without giving proper explanations, incomprehensible denials or other red tape represent just some of the headaches property owners face, in addition to the daily slow-motion nightmare of having to live in less than adequate surroundings while stressed by the insecurity of not knowing if they will ever receive the proper money to which they are entitled.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL—For Scott Mager, it is quite disturbing that thousands of residents of the Superstorm Sandy-impacted areas remain without their homes – and many others without power and other basic needs – while insurance companies and the government fail to pay them the money they deserve.

Mager, a nationally recognized attorney, has been on-the-ground in the devastated areas for several weeks, speaking to large community groups and organizations about the steps they can take to obtain rightful reimbursement for their property losses. He is working with a multi-disciplinary organization called Storm Help Team to help make that happen.

“What I can tell you from my personal experience and research is that residents need the money right now,” said Mager. “As for government funds for FEMA-related payments, reports indicate that the government money approved is going to be paid over a three-year period, instead of right now when all – not some – of the money is needed.” According to Mager, the bill – minus the pork project inserts – should be the starting point. “It is disturbing that any legislator would think it appropriate to insert pet projects into a bill that is supposed to help victims of Sandy.” He said that the media should list the names of every legislator who suggests placement of any pork project into a victim’s bill. “While we hope that each will act appropriately, let’s motivate them to ensure the right action is taken.”